TORONTO — Caroline Mulroney, the latest addition to the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership race, says that while the party needs to make major changes, she would still use the previous leader’s platform as a starting point.

Mulroney, the daughter of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, said that the previous platform came out of a grassroots effort that involved the entire party.

“It’s an important starting point for us,” said Mulroney on the platform, dubbed the “People’s Guarantee,” which promised to invest in Toronto’s subways and cut income taxes, among other policies.

Mulroney, who is up against former MPP Christine Elliott and former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford, said she would also support cuts in hydro rates and child care rebates if elected as the next premier.

The former businesswoman and lawyer made the comments at campaign event in Toronto, where she was interviewed by former federal cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, who served under Stephen Harper’s Conservative government.

The Ontario Conservatives are scrambling to elect a new party leader after Patrick Brown abruptly resigned in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations.

The allegations, which were made last month by two women, were first reported by CTV News and have not been verified by The Canadian Press.

Mulroney said that while the situation has been tough for the party, it also presents an opportunity for the party to make necessary changes.

She said her political aspirations came out of anger over how the current Liberal government has led the province.

“We have a government that is making decisions that benefit them in the short term, not ones that benefit Ontarians in the long term,” said Mulroney. “That’s the opposite of the way I see government working.”

Mulroney spent years living abroad in the U.S., where she studied at New York and Harvard universities, and worked in business on Wall Street. She said she came back to Toronto with her husband to raise her family.

While she has never held a seat in political office, Mulroney said that she could bring a new perspective and her own personal experience into the party.

Mulroney criticized the Liberal government for making decisions in their self-interest and used their decision to raise the minimum wage ahead of an election as one example.

“They’ve had an entire term to get this right ? it’s not lost on people that they decided to do this six months ahead on as election,” said Mulroney, prompting cheers and applause in the audience.

The party will decide who will lead the party ahead of the June election on March 10. Candidates have until Feb. 16 to join the race.

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I can just picture it now, Brian Mulroney dressed in full Roman Military gear on his chariot, Caroline at his side, delivering her to the steps of Queen’s Park, oh what a spectacle. All kidding aside, is Ontario at the tipping point between the private sector that pay the bills and the public sector that seem from the outside looking in get to stand at the front of the line when it comes to a living wage, pensions that will secure their retirement while private sector employees are being left out in the cold when it comes their economic reality. Public sector perks verses quarterly capitalism.

This is not right. Deserving candidates should jump in the race; a common man to represent a common man. She is no common man because her life is way different than what people experience with her being a PM’s daughter. This blood line kingdomship have to stop on the name of democracy!

Canadian politics is becoming like the dirty politics played in India & Pakistan.

“Caroline Mulroney … says that while the party needs to make major changes, she would still use the previous leader’s platform as a starting point.”

Well that was a big disappointment. I was impressed with her bio, and was waiting eagerly to see what kind of platform she would have. So I can now write off this candidate before she hardly began. While it is shocking that Patrick Brown was lynched and destroyed on mere allegations, I took secret pleasure in his removal because of his unacceptable platform. Example: We need a carbon tax like a frog needs a bicycle.

If this party has any brains, which is sometimes doubtful they will elect Christine Elliot, and Caroline will hopefully support her and perhaps become the next attorney general. I think Mulroney has a lot of potential but it’s too early to put her in this position with so little time before the next election. I supported her dad when he lost to Joe Clark and our riding with me as president, were the first riding to support her dad the second time when he one. Sometimes you need time to get it right. I think Caroline is the right person – next time.

It would be a big mistake for the PC membership to allow Mulroney to win! We cannot have a premier who has spent years abroad and on top of that with no political experience. We all have seen how ruthless and how smart Wynn can be and she will turn her inside out and guess what another 4 yrs of Wynn! I do think that Ford could use Mulroney at his side and she would do good in Ford’s cabinet!

Actually …Wynn’s time is over, she carries too much baggageand the voters do not trust her (Clinton syndrome)..Multooney may be what we need, I like Ford but he also has a bit of a history…”having no political experience”, she grew up in a political arena like JT but she is saying the right things..lets play this out…its a good thing for Conservatives..

You’re not afraid of what Wynne would do to Ford with his history?
Mulroney cut her teeth with the sharks on Wall Street, and she’s already zeroed in on Wynne’s soft underbelly. I think Ontario voters are sick of career politicians and that will be her strength.

Brian Mulroney was the most hated Prime Minister in Canadian History and he sued the Government for millions after his departure. Do we forget this, I don’t think so,. This is a total disgrace that the conservatives would even let her run for the position. Not to say she spent most of her time in USA. Please show your disapproval to the Conservative party , discusting!

You just described Trudeau,years abroad and no political experience except being a “CRAYON BOY” at his Drama Class,Why not Caroline,don’t shoot the messenger,I am not a fan of her Dad,and I’m not a fan of “l”ll potato” either . Maybe we’ll end up with a Minority which would be good for the country